Hello, my dear friends! How was your weekend? I hope everyone had a chance to unwind and spend some quality time with family. As I hinted in my previous post, our weekend was dedicated to the high seas—a meticulously planned boat weekend. So, let's dive into the luxurious lifestyle Dubai offers and recount the unexpectedly delightful weekend we spent.
We were graciously invited by a well-known estate developer to spend a day on the famously exclusive "The World" islands—a name many of you might recognize here in Dubai. This gathering was organized for boat owners from across the city, and given my familiarity with Dubai's social scene, I was bracing myself for the usual spectacle: stunning models in unimaginably tiny bikinis and young entrepreneurs flaunting their sleek yachts. Yes, I expected a tableau right out of a glamorous music video!
However, to my delightful surprise, the atmosphere this time was entirely different. Instead of a flashy showcase of wealth and opulence, we found ourselves amidst a scene straight out of a family holiday postcard. There were plenty of families with kids, elderly couples enjoying the sun on their yachts, and genuinely grounded people just relaxing. The day was filled with simple pleasures—no competitive flaunting or ostentatious displays. We witnessed heartwarming scenes of sporty games, barbecues, and children swimming in the sea with their grandparents.
The atmosphere was absolutely lovely, a refreshing change that reminded us that luxury isn't always about extravagance; it can also be about the joy of community and shared experiences.
This part of our weekend was tremendously enjoyable, offering a rare glimpse into a different kind of luxury—one that values serenity and simple joys over spectacle with stunning view of Dubai. For this unexpectedly heartwarming gathering, I give the luxury life in Dubai a perfect score of 10.
And now, let's talk about the pain part. I'm giving you a fair warning, this perspective is purely my own—others, like my husband, see it quite differently. We're a boat family; I've been a sailing enthusiast since my twenties and adore everything about being on the water. But there's a limit to my love, especially when it comes to certain "boy toys" that are just too much for me.
Let me introduce you to the Donzi, a boat that's famous for being one of the fastest in the world. Sounds glamorous, doesn't it? It even had a starring role in Miami Vice movie, smuggling drugs with the cops lagging hopelessly behind. This boat is the real deal, deserving all its hype, and it's quite rare in the Middle East, making it an absolute head-turner. When you're on the Donzi, you feel like a bullet slicing through the waves, arriving at your destination in a fraction of the usual time. It's thrilling to think we could outrun anyone if it came to a race.
However, that's where the fantasy ends and reality begins. This beauty isn't just fast; it's also thunderously loud and, frankly, quite terrifying. For those dreaming of showing off on this sleek speedster, forget it. You're practically invisible with the speed at which you're moving. Makeup on the Donzi? You might as well be trying to paint during a hurricane. And your beautifully styled hair or that fancy hat? They'll be history, scattered across the ocean before you can even whisper "Habibi."
Imagine trying to create Instagram-worthy content aboard this beast. You’d need a full makeup and hair crew ready at the dock just to put you back together upon arrival. And false eyelashes? They’re a no-go unless you want to see them fluttering away with the sea breeze as soon as we throttle up.
It's a bit of a mess, honestly. And all this chaos is compounded by my husband’s love for speed. He tries to start off cautious, but it’s not long before he’s pushing the boat to its limits, leaving me and our daughter with expressions of sheer terror, while he’s all smiles at the helm.
So, NO, comfort is not a word I’d associate with the Donzi. It jumps, it's loud, and while it's an adrenaline rush, it’s certainly not relaxing. This boat might as well come with a warning label: "For thrill-seekers and natural beauties only—makeup and fancy accessories strictly prohibited."
It also reminds me of another high-maintenance member of our car collection: the G Wagon. It's akin to Donzi—not in speed, but in how spectacularly uncomfortable it is, despite its outrageous price tag. The joy it brings to my husband's face, however, is truly priceless. He seems to be the only one in the family who really gets it. We all know that after an hour in those seats, you're in for a backache. The ride is anything but smooth, and don't get me started on the doors—they clang shut with a noise that's more scrapyard than luxury. But, according to him, that's exactly what you're paying for. Hello, 2024? Are we really still doing this?
But let's not leave all the men to shoulder the blame for our questionable luxury choices. I, too, have my indulgences. Take, for instance, my collection of Louis Vuitton bags. You rarely see them in my photos, and there's a good reason: they are so heavy it feels like you're carting around bricks, so I barely use them. It's absolutely ridiculous, and I can't help but laugh at the absurdity. There’s a touch of silliness in embracing such impractical luxuries, yet here I am, still drawn to them.
Just a few days ago, we popped into Balenciaga. Why? Who knows. Their new collection of bags could have been straight out of a 1989 market on the Polish border—back when the Iron Curtain was open, and everyone was eager to grab goods from beyond their borders. My grandmother bought exactly same looking bag back then, and I remember finding its design quite peculiar. Today, those same designs are coveted by fashionistas everywhere. What irony! This time, though, they didn't tempt me, but it's a stark reminder of how our perceptions of luxury can be so skewed.
So, my dears, as we wrap up this discussion on the lavish lifestyle that many believe is the pinnacle of living, I urge you to pause and reflect. Is the pursuit of these luxuries truly worth it? Not everything that glitters is gold, and often, the price we pay isn't just monetary—it's a compromise on comfort, practicality, and sometimes, even our happiness. Let's not forget that the real luxuries in life may be the moments and memories we create with loved ones, not the flashy tokens we accumulate. Take a deep breath and consider what truly enriches your life.
The adage "not everything that shines is gold" rings especially true in the world of luxury. Even aboard a glamorous yacht, you might find the roar of the engine overwhelming, or discover that driving a G Wagon for hours is less than comfortable, and those expensive designer bags can feel like a ton of bricks after a while. I'm grateful to have experienced all of this firsthand, and I sincerely thank God for giving me the perspective to see and compare these aspects of luxury.
I am delighted to share with you that the truest form of luxury isn't something you can buy; it's the time you spend with the people you love unconditionally—your family. It’s about having trustworthy friends and a pet who adores you simply for your presence. Remember, the luster of material things will inevitably fade, but what remains when the money runs out? Will the concierge from that five-star hotel you frequented still care? Unlikely. It’s your family, your spouse, your children, and yes, even your dog or cat, who will look into your eyes and reassure you that everything will be okay.
So, cherish what truly matters. Wealth may come and go, but your life, health, and loved ones will always be there for you. This kind of luxury—being surrounded by love and giving love in return—is not hard to obtain. It simply requires us to be kind and compassionate.
I hope this reflection inspires you to appreciate the everyday blessings and recognize that at the end of the day, we are all human. What really matters isn't the flashy trappings of a luxurious lifestyle, but the simple, genuine connections we forge with those around us.
With love to human kind,
Yours almost ALWAYS in Stiletos,
Henrieta
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